Search Results

CERV stands for Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle. GM’s CERV III (Corporate Engineering Research Vehicle III), which debuted in 1990, represented the evolution of the Corvette Indy Concept. The CERVIII is one of the most advanced concepts ever created. Never before has so much working technology crammed into one car for performance purposes. The cost to develop a car like the CERVIII would be astronomical. Coming from a long line of mid-engine Corvette prototypes, the CERVIII was the final attempt towards a mid-mounted engine. Inspiration for the car’s design came from the Corvette Indy, released four years earlier than the CERVIII. Unlike this prototype, the Indy was a display model, incapable of being driven. The body of the CERVIII is made of carbon fiber, Nomex, and kevlar, reinforced with an aluminum honeycomb. This material forms a one-piece composite unit. Highlighting the structure is an exceptionally low drag at 0.277 Cd. Powering the car is a Lotus-tuned 5.7-liter V8. This engine, combined with the low-drag body, gives CERVIII a calculated top speed of 225 mph! Mahle pistons, stronger connecting rods, and twin Garett Turbochargers help the engine achieve 650 horsepower. With such high-speed capability, a robust braking system is a must. On each wheel, a dual-disc setup is used. This creates a sandwich of brakes which effectively doubles the surface area. As a drawback, having eight-disc brakes instead of the usual four increases overall weight. With the transmission setup, another innovation is achieved. Six forward speeds complement the CERVIII using two transmissions! That’s right; a three-speed Hydramatic unit is linked to a custom two-speed transmission resulting in six gears. With this setup, shifting is done automatically by computer control. Power is transferred to all four wheels through a viscous-coupling system from the transmissions. This system helps achieve maximum traction by varying the torque to the front and rear wheels. No doubt, this setup is influenced by the Porsche 959. Interestingly, of all the mid-engine prototypes made, the CERV III was the closest to production. Marketing plays a major role in decisions such as these, and the Corvette has little room for significant change. Like all the other mid-engine corvettes, the CERV III has never made it past the prototype phase. However, the styling cues were not lost. It was the 4th Generation Camaro that inherited the huge-by-wide front glass, rear hatch glass, and rear wing, and while the CERV III had a removable targa-type roof panel, the Camaro was available with a t-roof. Source: Mario van Ginneken - www.corvettes.nl Images: General Motors Archive; Concept Car Central, www.corvettefever.com

Cadillac unveiled the Cadillac Aurora concept at the 1990 Chicago Auto Show. It featured a Cadillac Northstar 4.5-liter V-8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive with traction control. In terms of powertrain concept and interior design, the series production version became the Oldsmobile Aurora, unveiled in 1995. Its exterior design carried cues that formed the styling of the European Opel Omega B saloon released in 1994. The concept appeared in a scene in the movie Demolition Man. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_Aurora Images: Concept Car Central; www.chicagoautoshow.com

The Bolero concept, constructed in late 1989, took Buick into the future with a creative blend of sporty, expressive design and practicality. Buick combined what their customers told them they had been looking for into the Bolero, presenting where Buick was headed to the public. The front-wheel-drive Bolero incorporates a supercharged 3300 V6 generating 206 horsepower. It has sequential-port electronic fuel injection coupled with overdrive, four-speed, electronically-controlled automatic transmission. The car's aerodynamic shape suggests the power under the hood, with a rear deck slightly higher than the hood and a steeply raked windshield. The rhythmic Bolero features the famous Buick vertical bar grille, flanked by flush headlights. The rounded sections and the long wrap-around taillights also evoke images of Buick's heritage. Unique to the Bolero is fiber-optics used throughout the car, particularly in the taillights. One light panel extends the width of the rear, with bulbs on both ends. This was a break from the traditional taillight bulbs mounted in parabolas. Fiber optics are also used in the instrument panel, backlighting of controls, and doors. Inside the Bolero were a built-in cooler, dual cup holders, and portable radio headsets located in the rear of the front seats. All gauges in the instrument panel are analog rather than digital, and controls for side-view mirrors, windows, and radio were push-button. It was considered a teaser for the 1992 Skylark. Source: Concept Car Central Images: Concept Car Central; Mario Buonocunto Concept Cars Page

The first Bugatti by Giugiaro was a classic of car design: a two-seater, mid-engined coupe based on technical drawings of Bugatti mechanics. The 63rd Turin Motor Show saw the debut of the Bugatti ID 90, based on technical drawings published from March 1989. These were respected above all in their compact dimensions: 4100 mm in length, 1840 mm in width. The ID 90 featured a very elongated glass dome within a single rounded curve to achieve the correct aesthetic balance between a sports car and a deluxe saloon. As with the Lotus Etna of 1984, the rear part of the dome is empty to leave room for air intakes used to cool the engine. The design of the alloy rims is a homage to the past: the legendary Bugatti Royale of 1926. Source: www.italdesign.it

The Lotus M200 concept car was first presented, as a Speedster version of the Lotus Elan M100, at the Frankfurt Motor Show of 1991. This striking little car was also featured at such other major International exhibitions as the Geneva Salon de l'Automobile, in 1992. The new backbone-chassised Type 100 Elan aroused immediate controversy as the first front-wheel-drive Lotus. Styled by Peter Stevens, the distinctive new body shape proved very effective aerodynamically, and the new model – when launched at the 1989 London Motor Fair, the new model won an important award from the British Design Council, and by 1992 more than 3,800 had been built and sold. In the M200 offered here, designer/stylist Julian Thompson – whose subsequent Lotus Elise model would become a true bestseller – produced a most exciting prospect with a simple airstream deflector instead of the true windscreen, individual driver and passenger cockpit openings, a large rear wing, and faired-in headlight positions replacing the retractable style of the baseline production model. Julian Thompson fashioned this engaging little concept car as a niche special "for real enthusiasts," but his intention was as much "to show management how we could move on from the Elan." His windscreen inspiration came from the Ferrari 312B Formula 1 car design, while the M200 design also explored the use of bigger wheels. Still, the project lapsed after its original inception in 1988-89, and no work was done to complete it for some eighteen months. Suddenly, as Mr. Thompson confided to Olav Glasius: "...a show car was needed in a hurry!". This M200 was then modeled upon the basis of "...a blue Lotus Elan returned by a customer..." which subsequently caused the Lotus company a degree of heartburn when it was realized that there was a much-publicized little show car built upon the core of a car they did not own... This little local difficulty was corrected as David Brisbourne designed the stunning interior while Russell Carr detailed the exterior treatment. The interior fabric was chosen from "a lady's swimsuit," and Julian Thompson also admitted that the first time they tried the M200, it had been so hastily assembled that "...the instant we used the brakes they fell off!". Lotus subsequently loaned the car to the British Automobile Association (AA) as an attention-grabbing promotional and marketing showpiece. During that period, it suffered some indignity and began to deteriorate cosmetically. The Lotus M200 was eventually offered for sale by auction at Silverstone, where Lotus dealer Paul Matty bought it. Olav Glasius enjoyed the artistry, ingenuity, and wit embodied within this concept car design, and he was eventually able to acquire it from Mr. Matty. He then commissioned Ken and Neil Myers in England to restore and repaint this car to original order, as now offered here. The Myers'magic completed it as a running car, and the finished machine was UK road registered. It is now offered here as a uniquely distinctive Lotus two-seater that is certain to turn heads wherever it appears. The M200 'Concept Vehicle' promoted Lotus Active rear-steer, engine cam-profile technology – Lotus Variable Valve Actuation...and so much more. In the metal – and composite – the M200 survives today as a beautifully presented and delightful product of its time, a now road-useable concept car of considerable distinction. Source: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20143/lot/259/

When Nissan enthusiasts think of ASC (American Sunroof Company | American Specialty Cars), the first thought is often the Nissan 240sx Convertible – a rare enough car in its own right, but nowhere near as rare as the 300zx Spyder Concept that was introduced to the public on March 3, 1992, at the Geneva Auto Show. Back in the ’80s-’90s, Nissan used ASC as a “coachbuilder” who converted their coupes to convertibles, with excellent results. Some of the most notable Nissans that ASC is responsible for including the 240sx and 300zx convertibles. But the 300zx Spyder Concept was something completely different – Built for ASC and Nissan by Mike Alexander (of the world-famous A-brothers) at Metalcrafters. The same custom fabricator built the 1999 Z concept and many of the other Nissan concepts listed. Nissan gave ASC a white 300zx 2+2 with instructions to transform it into the “Spyder” concept, ultimately leading to Nissan awarding ASC the contract to build the Z32 convertible. Once completed, the 300zx Spyder featured ASC’s radical new articulating hardtop system, which revolutionized the modern convertible and ushered in a new era of hardtop convertibles. The Spyder thus became the first modern retractable hardtop convertible and the very first production-ready convertible Nissan Z. The car wasn’t titled until 1995, well after it was shown in Geneva, Detriot & Paris as a Nissan retractable hardtop, garnering extreme interest in the Z32 and setting the stage for an enthusiastic public to embrace the 300ZX as seen in the famous GI Joe / Barbie 300zx commercial featuring the Z32. All in all, even though the 300zx Spyder didn’t go into production, it had a dramatic impact on the automotive world. The system would later go into production on the Mitsubishi 3000gt Spyder, Mercedes SLK & Peugeot 206cc. And it all started with a Nissan. Source: https://www.nicoclub.com/archives/nissan-300zx-spyder-concept.html

Ryoji Yamazaki founded Art & Tech studio in 1989 in Tokyo. However, the first works were done in Japan and the Italian branch in Turin. At the 1991 Geneva Motor Show, the company demonstrated the car's prototype intended to enter a very limited production for 1.6 million dollars! The extremely aggressively styled automobile was named Sogna and was based on Lamborghini Countach. The bodywork of the car was made of aluminum. Sogna was equipped with a 5.2l V12 engine developing 448 hp. Power was transferred through a manual 5-speed gearbox to the rear axle. Claimed top speed was around 300 km/h, while a production version was planned for 325 km/h! A fully operational prototype of the Sogna was presented in December of the same year at the Essen Motor Show (possibly only two working examples of Sogna were manufactured). The other concept Art & Tech would produce is the Porsche-powered Vera Concept. Source: findrarecar.co.cc Images: Art & Tech; www.speedheads.de

The Zender Speedster was based on the open-top 1.3-liter Suzuki Swift GTI. Zender was satisfied with the engine’s power output at 101 horsepower but shortened the cabrio’s windscreen for that ultimate speedster look. Images: Zender; JOHN LLOYD Collection

In 1989, at the Geneva Motor Show, the German manufacturer unveiled the Zender Fact 4 concept. Two years later, with the intention of producing and selling the model, the Fact 4 was presented at the IAA in Frankfurt. The Fact 4 Spider unveiled in 1991 had a modified chassis and a different engine compared to the concept car. A tubular steel chassis replaced the monocoque carbon fiber chassis, and the twin-turbocharged V8 engine transformed into a naturally aspirated Audi 3.6-liter V8 engine with 250 hp. The model resulted from a two years of hard work to produce a sport vehicle at lower costs than its predecessor, the Fact 4 Biturbo. The body was still made of carbon fiber and aramid. Using the sandwich technology, the car was extremely light yet resistant. A Spider's door only weighed 2.6 kilograms. Gunter Zillner was the one to design the car and managed to create aerodynamic perfection. The angles were reduced as much as possible, and the Fact 4's big spoiler was removed. The side and rear windows were made of Plexiglass, focusing on weight reduction. The car's weight was 1230 kilograms, intelligently distributed as follows: 45% on the front axle and 55% on the rear. The Spider reached 100 kph (62 mph) in 5.8 seconds and had a top speed of 250 kph. Despite the efforts of the German producer, the Zender Fact 4 Spider was not produced in series and remained at the prototype stage. Source: https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/zender-fact-4-spider-1991.html#aeng_zender-fact-4-spider-1991-v8 Images: Zender; italianminiatures

The Vario II is a 2+2 with a modular roofing system proposed by the Swiss student Alexander Guye of the Art Center College. Of the various solutions presented, this one appealed most to Herbert Schafer, and he decided to transpose it into a 1:1 scale. This is a more futuristic car than the Vario I, but a dream car that responds perfectly to the will to demonstrate the versatility of the Golf-Syncro platform on a concrete basis. It has a vario-roof folding-steel top that has only recently gone into production. Other futuristic design elements include slim-line headlights and multi-dome taillights since copied by different manufacturers. Source: Mario Buonocunto Concept Cars Page; www.cartorque.co.za Images: Volkswagen; Flickr

The 1991 Volkswagen Vario 1 was an open buggy concept based on the Typ 86C Polo platform that was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. Source: www.ltv-vwc.org.uk Images: Volkswagen

Toyota demonstrated its unwavering commitment to people-friendly car-making for the 21st century that harmonized with society and the earth's environment. Toyota presented show cars in the passenger car corner as the AVX-III. This "gentle" sedan reflected considerations for safety, comfort, and the environment in a highly balanced manner—the compact and lightweight AVX-IV personal commuter. Toyota also showcased five commercial-use vehicles, including the high-spec Ambulance equipped with the latest emergency medical devices, the stylish Fun Runner sport utility vehicle, and the Hiace Limo. Source: www.toyota-global.com Images: Toyota; aldenjewell's photostream

The Toyota AXV-IV is a personal commuter-friendly to the earth’s environment, featuring a substantial reduction in weight, excellent fuel efficiency, savings in natural resources, and use of recyclable materials. The use of lightweight materials such as aluminum and magnesium alloys and FRP suspension springs reduced the total vehicle weight to 450kg. The supercharged two-stroke, two-cylinder 804cc engine is small, lightweight, and highly efficient. Source: TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM Images: Toyota; www.conceptcars.it; aldenjewell's photostream; community.webshots.com/user/paulnh1

The AXV-III was a concept vehicle first shown at the October 1991 Tokyo Motor Show and later at the February 1993 Chicago Auto Show. The new Carina demonstrated automated driver aids such as vehicle-to-vehicle distance maintenance and a voice synthesizer that gave instructions for upcoming intersections. The AXV-III cruise control maintained vehicle-to-vehicle distance. A pulsed laser beam measured distances over 33 feet. Distances under 33 feet were calculated by a CCD camera using techniques similar to a camera's auto-focus. An electronic version replaced the usual accelerator linkage. The computer could slow the car down automatically by removing power and activating the brakes when the car in front came too close. A voice-activated GPS displayed the current location, and two door-mounted airbags supplied additional safety. Source: Wikipedia Images: Toyota

For us, the Toyota Avalon is a big sedan tailored for the American market. However, the first car with that name was far from being as monumental and conservative as the cars of 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2012, but was a fantastic creation, the likes of which cannot be found now. Described in the brochures as a "leisure cruise car," the Toyota Avalon concept, even though it was unveiled at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, was born in the United States. It was created by Calty Studio (California Toyota Yamaguchi), which opened in the United States in October 1973. Later, models of Lexus and the now-defunct Scion brand were painted here. The same division created the F100 and the 1978 Celica. The order to build a unique concept car entered the American studio in the mid-80s, while the Japanese office of Toyota did not limit the designers' imagination. The main requirement is the most effective car. Drawing inspiration from contemporary abstract art - complex sculptures, dynamic shapes - the designers achieved what some today call the " Fiat Multipla convertible." With its concept, the studio tried to create "a dynamic, mysterious style aimed at developing a completely new automotive taste." The result is the Avalon concept car - very controversial in appearance but memorable. Visitors to the car dealership asked Toyota representatives a straightforward question, which Toyota management probably asked the designers as well: "What is this?" But why explain abstraction? Avalon is simply the vision of designers. Therefore, the questions "what?", "Why?" and why?" are inappropriate here. In addition to its aerodynamic silhouette, the Avalon featured an unusual roof structure. When the car was left in a parking lot without riders inside, the three-piece glass completely covered the interior (the windshield went down, and the sandwich of glass panels above the trunk lid covered the whole car), which reduced the height of the car to 95 centimeters - which is lower than the original Ford GT40! And when it was time to drive, the panels lifted, and the Avalon became a comfortable four-seater, four-door convertible with a height of 113 centimeters. It is better not to travel in the rain - the car had no other roof. There is no information about the technical part of Avalon and where to get it - no one has ever seen the concept on the go. The only thing we know about the stuffing is that the cabin had four full-fledged bucket seats with pumping and several LCD screens, on which the picture from the rear-view cameras was displayed. To ensure that the roof opening mechanism always has a supply of electricity, a solar panel was integrated into the rear spoiler, which charged the battery. Is there a connection between the current Avalons and the 1991 concept car? None, except for the name they inherited in honor of a town in southern California. It's even a little sad that such a bold convertible was reborn as a rather ordinary sedan. But we now know that Avalon could have been different. Source: www.thepetrolstop.com; motor.ru Images: Toyota; Concept Car Central; aldenjewell's photostream

The 1991 Suzuki SPRY was a design study for a small coupe with a mid-mounted 1.3 litre DOHC engine. It was presented at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show. Source: carsthatnevermadeitetc Images: Mario Buonocunto Concept Cars Page; JOHN LLOYD Collection; private7.blog84.fc2.com

Presented at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki's Cue car was a mid-engined car with a 3 cylinder 657cc engine. Source: Suzuki; JOHN LLOYD Collection; private7.blog84.fc2.com

The Rioma is a concept car designed by Subaru to show that a sports car can be fun, safe, and environmentally correct. It features a 2.0 L flexible-fuel turbocharged DOHC 4-cylinder engine capable of running on methanol & gasoline blend, dual-range all-wheel drive, a targa bar, airbags, and four-point safety harnesses. Source: Subaru Press Release Images: Subaru; subarublog.wordpress.com

The 1991 Subaru Hanako Concept was a Kei-car coupé prototype presented at the 29th Tokyo Motor Show in hard-top and targa-top forms. Source: carsthatnevermadeitetc Images: subarublog.wordpress.com

Presented at the Tokyo Motor Show was this futuristic Kei-car concept with a supercharged 658cc engine. Source: carsthatnevermadeitetc